The National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) was established to fill a need for a unified national voice for Latino populations in the behavioral health arena and to bring attention to the great disparities that exist in areas of access, utilization, practice based research and adequately trained personnel.
Brief History
In March of 2000, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) and its Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) acknowledged the growing mental health service needs of a rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino community by sponsoring a National Congress for Hispanic Mental Health. SAMHSA determined that services must be more accessible, appropriate, and responsive to the needs of the Latino Community and declared the need for a plan to serve as an heirloom for the next generation. The aim of the Hispanic Congress was to create a vision for Latino mental health for the new century. The conference brought together national Latino leaders in behavioral health research and services, advocates and consumers/family members to define critical issues in behavioral services to Latinos. As its’ top priority the group recommended the need for a single voice to address the mental health and substance abuse issues facing the Latino community. In September of 2000 a Steering Committee of the National Congress met in Los Angeles, California and officially formed the National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA). NLBHA received its’ 501(c ) (3) status in 2002.
Our Mission
The Mission and Goal of The National Latino Behavioral Health Association is to influence national behavioral health policy, eliminate disparities in funding and access to services, and improve the quality of services and treatment outcomes for Latino populations.
Our Vision
NLBHA’s Vision is to bring attention to the great disparities that exist in the areas of funding, access, and quality of care for Latino consumers and families needing professional mental health and substance abuse services.
Our Objectives
The Objective of the NLBHA is to provide national leadership on mental health and substance abuse concerns of the Latino community in five major areas of focus:
- Policy Issues in Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Education and Workforce issues
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service Delivery
- Latino Focused Behavioral Health Research
- Latino Family Focused Interventions
